Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings established an office in Chicago in 1936 and opened a branch in New York in 1937. The practice became Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) in 1939 when John Merrill joined the partnership. From the beginning, the firm stressed the importance of teamwork and individual responsibility among its employees. The firm’s early years were spent creating a multi-disciplinary office which could effectively handle corporate and commercial clients. In 1952, Gordon Bunshaft pushed SOM toward a new level of architectural recognition with his design for the Lever House. This curtain-walled office block built in the International Style, demonstrated SOM’s capabilities and led to a series of similar developments. Due to the large scale of the buildings designed by SOM, structural innovation makes up a large part of the office’s design efforts. Today, Skidmore Owings & Merrill operates as a successful large practice, with offices in many cities, although none of its original principals remain with the firm. Some other notable designers associated with the firm during various periods include Myron Goldsmith, Bruce Graham, and Walter Netsch. 2

How to Join

Membership to Docomomo Noca is through Docomomo US. Members receive the bi-annual DOCOMOMO US newsletter, discounts to US and regional tours, lectures and events, including the International Conference, inclusion in the online DOCOMOMO social network, and membership in a regional chapter.

How to Donate

As an all-volunteer organization, Docomomo NOCA relies on the generous contributions of our friends and supporters in addition to any grants we may receive. If you value the quality architectural tours, events, and programs we produce every year and support our advocacy efforts and projects, then please donate today.